For His Daughter

by Dani Sinclair

“Look closer. I’ve just had more practice covering it up than you have.”

  She didn’t appear appeased. “I’ll go get her ice cream.”

  Meredith beamed in approval.

  “We’ll stay together,” he said. “Meredith can wait, can’t you, sprite?”

  She wrapped her arms around his leg, looking worried.

  “Look,” Carolyn said suddenly. “If you’re sure it’s safe, why don’t you all go across the street and get her an ice cream? You can wait there as easy as here. When John gets here, I’ll tell him where you are.”

  “Thank you,” Lee said.

  Carolyn nodded as he reached for Meredith’s hand.

  “Ice cream,” he promised. Meredith’s answering smile lifted his heart. He’d find the shooter and he’d wring the bastard’s neck for endangering his daughter.

  Outside, Kayla stared at the empty street, much as he was doing, before moving away from the building. “How did you know that was going to happen?” she asked.

  “What?”

  “The shooting. You were uncomfortable on the path, and then you kept looking around the park like you were waiting for something to happen.”

  Surprised, Lee parted his lips and paused. He could hardly tell her he had been waiting for something to happen. But that something had been for the local police to arrest him, not some unseen punk with a gun to shoot at him.

  “I’m a cop, Kayla. I’m naturally cautious in strange places. Believe me, if I’d thought someone was going to shoot at us, you and Meredith wouldn’t have been within miles of that park—or me.”

  “Do you think it’s some criminal who followed you here from D.C.?”

  Lee reached for the door of the General Store. “No. I don’t have any open cases that would bring a killer after me. And trust me, a pro would have used something with a lot more power and accuracy than a .22.”

  While true enough, he wondered how to connect the shooting to Fay’s death. The incident gave him hope. Just maybe, he hadn’t killed his ex-wife after all. But while Lee really liked that idea, he couldn’t see how anyone else could have gotten inside that motel room. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to relieve the pain in his head.

  It didn’t make sense for Fay’s killer to come after him now. The killer had had Lee’s gun and most of the night to do the job right there in her room if that had been his intent. So who the heck was shooting at him?

  The General Store was an impossibly cluttered jumble of merchandise crowded onto shelves in narrow aisles. For all its confusion, the place was spotlessly clean. Near the front window sat what had to be one of the last soda fountains in existence. Several people perched on low stools, enjoying coffee or ice cream and talking loudly to be heard over the noisy air conditioner and the country and western music that came from an old radio on a shelf over the metal freezer.

  Four sets of eyes stared in their direction as Meredith ran over to the last vacant stool.

  “Well, hello, Merry,” a gnarled older woman greeted. “What have you been up to today?”

  She chatted happily, obviously comfortable with the older woman. Her garbled answer included the word “swings” and the woman smiled. Then she allowed her gaze to lift, skimming over Lee with a hint of interest and landing on Kayla with dark intensity.

  “Baby-sitting?”

  Lee heard the unspoken “again” even though it never passed lips narrowed in disapproval.

  “This is Meredith’s father,” Kayla told the woman.

  “Lee, meet Mildred Kitteridge. She owns the General Store.”

  “Ma’am.”

  Hazel-brown eyes fastened on his face. Lee had the feeling the older woman had memorized every detail. She’d make a terrific crime witness. He’d bet she could describe him down to the color of his socks.

  That penetrating gaze flashed to Kayla. “Corny here was just telling us there’s some sort of trouble out at the Bide Awhile.” Mildred nodded at an older gentleman who wore a postal uniform and held a spoon dripping with ice cream and caramel sauce.

  Lee barely glanced at the man. Her words sent a chill up his spine. They’d found Fay.

  “Chief Hepplewhite’s out there with Thad. They called for the doc,” Mildred continued, looking again at Lee. “You know anything about it?”

  Lee had to work not to squirm under that stare. He had a feeling she’d spot a lie quicker than he could form one, so he opted for safety.

  “We’ve been at the park behind the school,” he told the woman. “Someone just shot at us.”

  “What?”

  Every eye fastened on them. Kayla nodded..“Meredith was playing on the slide when someone opened fire on us.”

  “Ice cream?” Meredith asked.

  A smile creased the woman’s face. Time had lined her skin and twisted her joints, but it hadn’t dimmed the intelligence in her eyes. “Chocolate okay?”

  The question was directed at him, he realized, though Meredith bobbed her head happily in agreement.

  “One scoop,” Kayla confirmed.

  But still the woman waited until Lee added his own nod. That small act endeared her to him as nothing else could have. When had anyone last deferred to his wants where his daughter was concerned?

  “We’d better do cones,” he suggested. “The chief is sending someone over to talk to us.”

  Mildred nodded. “Kayla?”

  “Why not?”

  “Did you see who was shooting?” the postman called Corny asked.

  “No, but they were using what sounded like a .22 rifle,” Lee told him.

  “Probably the Williams kid out target-practicing,” a man in a business suit about his own age offered.

  “In the woods?” Lee asked skeptically.

  “This kid doesn’t have an ounce of common sense.”

  “Can’t kill much with a .22, R.J.,” Corny pointed out, “’cept maybe squirrels.”

  “There weren’t any squirrels on the climbing gym, but Lee’s head was right next to it when that bullet ricocheted off,” Kayla said testily.

  Was she defending him, Lee wondered.

  “Cornelius, you’d best be getting back or Bianca’ll have your head,” Mildred warned him, handing Meredith a small chocolate cone wrapped in napkins.

  “I’ve gotta go, as well,” the younger man—R.J.—agreed. “Come on, Corny. We’ll soon hear what’s going on. Maybe someone shot up the Bide Awhile, too.”

  Mildred handed Kayla a larger version of Meredith’s ice-cream cone. “Marge? Would you mind going into the bait store and let my daughter and her husband know what’s going on? I want to make sure the back doors are locked.”

  The middle-aged woman stood quickly. Without a word, she disappeared down a crowded aisle. The bait store, Lee had noticed, was right next door. Apparently, you could get from one building to the other without going outside.

  “Good idea,” he told Mildred approvingly. “Even if it was some kid trying to scare people, it doesn’t hurt to take precautions.”

  “Is that what you think?” Kayla demanded. “You think the Williams boy was out target-shooting?”

  Lee shrugged.

  “I don’t know the Williams boy or what he’s likely do, but I do know I don’t like being shot at.” He wondered if he had time to go across the street to the parking lot of the restaurant where his backup gun resided in its special case, fastened beneath the driver’s seat.

  Mildred handed Lee a much larger cone.

  “It won’t take John long to get back from the Bide Awhile.”

  “Mildred’s right,” Kayla agreed.

  Lee fished a five from his wallet and gave it to the woman. “Thank you.”

  “It’s only two seventy-five,” she told him.

  “I’ll come back for the change.”

  She studied his face. “You do that.”

  He gave her a wink and hustled Meredith and Kayla outside.

  “What was that all about?” Kayla demanded.

  “What?�
�

  “You and Mildred.”

  “I like her.”

  “Obviously, she likes you, too.”

  Lee looked at the size of his cone and found a smile. “The woman has good taste. Unlike some people I could mention.”

  “Kayla!” Carolyn dashed across the empty street. “John’s still tied up. He said you and Mr. Garvey should take Meredith to your place and wait for him there.”

  “Good. Fay will be worried by now. She was supposed to pick Meredith up this morning.”

  “I can tell him the three of you will wait there?”

  “We’ll be there,” Lee promised over the pounding of his heart. Kayla nibbled on her lip a bit uncertainly but nodded. She was probably picturing another scene between him and Fay taking place inside her apartment in front of Meredith. Too bad he couldn’t reassure her. Part of him wished it was going to happen.

  They ate their cones in silence as they walked slowly back along the row of shops lining Main Street. The muzzy feeling still clouded his mind, no doubt due to his throbbing headache. Lee wished he could concentrate. One moment, he wanted to run, the next, he knew he had to stay. Concentrating took real effort. The town felt abnormally quiet to him after the bustle of D.C. streets.

  When they finally reached her house, he noticed Kayla was almost as keyed up as he was. Her hand still had a slight quiver as she reached out to unlock her front door. Suddenly she stopped.

  “What is it?” he asked softly, moving to shield the woman and child from the street.

  “The door’s already unlocked, Lee. It shouldn’t be. I locked it before we left, remember?”

  Chapter Three

  “Have you got your car keys on that ring?”

  Kayla nodded, swallowing fear. She clearly remembered locking the front door.

  “Put Meredith in your car and go back to the police station.”

  “I’m not going to leave you here alone! This is my home.”

  “And that’s my daughter.”

  She looked at the child slurping happily away at the melting ice-cream cone while chocolate dribbled down her chin.

  “Come with us.” She thrust her keys into his hand while her mind replayed those horrible minutes on the playground.

  “Kayla,” he said so softly she had to strain to hear him. “I’m a cop. I’m not going to argue with you. Get my daughter out of here.”

  The loving, laughing father had been replaced. This was Lee’s cop face and it didn’t brook any further argument. Kayla took the keys while Lee opened the downstairs door and slipped inside without a sound.

  “Fool,” she muttered under her breath. He wasn’t armed. Whoever was inside probably was.

  Meredith looked up and realized her father had disappeared.

  “Daddy?”

  Kayla grabbed Meredith’s sticky hand. “Daddy will be right back. Come on, sweetie. We need to take a ride, okay?”

  Frowning, Meredith obediently followed Kayla off the porch. Kayla was halfway to the car when she spotted Mary Lou Strongmore heading for her mailbox.

  “Mary Lou!”

  The older woman rested on her cane and waved. Kayla scooped Meredith into her arms and rushed across the street. It had just dawned on Kayla why the front door was unlocked. Such a simple explanation. If only she’d thought of it a few minutes ago. Fay must have come by to pick up Meredith while they were gone and let herself inside to wait.

  Not good.

  “Kayla? Is something wrong, dear?”

  “Yes.” Kayla had just left Lee and Fay alone together with her living room for their battleground. “Would you keep Meredith here for a few moments?”

  “Why, of course. Hi, Merry.”

  Meredith grinned and waved her cone. “Ice cream,” she said.

  “I can see that. Have you had lunch already?”

  “No, her father’s spoiling her,” Kayla explained. “I’ll be right back, Mary Lou.” She paused, remembering the park. They weren’t all that far away. What if it wasn’t Fay inside?

  “Mary Lou, if you hear anything that sounds like a gunshot, get Meredith inside and call the police right away.”

  “A gunshot?”

  Kayla didn’t take time to explain. She left the stupefied woman staring at her back as she sprinted across the street. Almost certainly it was Fay inside, and heaven only knows what she’d push Lee into doing. Especially after the morning he’d already had.

  Truthfully, Kayla almost hoped it was a burglar instead. Lee probably stood a better chance against a man with a gun than Fay on the warpath.

  LEE CREPT UP THE STAIRS as quietly as the creaky old boards would allow. The steep stairs of Kayla’s duplex made a perfect trap. There was no room to maneuver. A gunman at the top would only have to pick his target.

  On the other hand, who would know to set a trap for Lee here? There hadn’t been any sign that the downstairs door had been forced. He should have thought to ask Kayla who else had keys to her place.

  Lee hesitated, listening intently. The soft murmur of voices was indistinguishable behind the closed door at the top of the stairs. More than one person? He climbed another step. Faint laughter, followed by music.

  A burglar who turned on the television?

  Lee took the last two steps quickly. He’d seldom felt so exposed or helpless. His hand went uselessly to the empty . holster at his belt. If only he had his backup weapon. He should have gone to his car before coming over here this morning. A first-year rookie would know enough to go back downstairs and call for backup, but that wasn’t an option for him right now. Not unless he was willing to turn himself in.

  Lee reached for the door handle and twisted. It turned silently. Blessing Kayla’s oiled. hinges, he stood back against the wall as far as he could and inched the door open with the flat of his hand. The flickering light of the television displayed a talk show to an empty room.

  He stayed crouched low as he opened the door the rest of the way. Yep, definitely empty.

  He stepped into the room, glancing around for a possible weapon. Just his luck, Kayla wasn’t the sort to keep a lot of convenient knickknacks on her tables to help him out.

  Leaving the door open, he sidled forward until he had a clear view of the dining room. Empty, as well.

  On his way to the bathroom with Meredith this morning, Lee had taken the opportunity for a quick look around. Besides the living room, dining room and kitchen, there were two bedrooms and a bathroom. Sounds of drawers being opened and closed carried clearly down the hall. He started to step forward when a tall, dark-haired man crossed from one bedroom to another with a soft mutter.

  While the man’s hands were empty, he was easily as big as Lee and looked entirely too fit. He could also still have a weapon. All Lee had was the advantage of surprise and a feeling that this bust wasn’t going to go down easy.

  He slipped into the hall, moving along the wall, careful not to jar the pictures hanging there. He paused outside the master bedroom door. The intruder crouched before a bookcase. His black formfitting T-shirt and dark denims didn’t allow much room for a hidden gun, Lee decided. Unless he wore it jammed at the front of his waistband.

  A chance Lee would have to take. But even as he had that thought, the board beneath his next step creaked in protest. The intruder whirled, an oversize book in his hand. The book sailed through the air to crash harmlessly against the wall. Lee was already moving. Unfortunately, so was the intruder, who rushed forward in a low crouch. His head connected with Lee’s stomach, sending him off balance. The intruder followed up with a glancing blow to Lee’s solar plexus. The man was fast and accurate.

  Lee landed one solid punch before he was doubled by another blow that left him gasping for breath. He stumbled back against the quilt-covered bed. A knife appeared, poised at his throat.

  “Alex! Let him up! Both of you stop it this instant!”

  The knife vanished in an eye blink and the intruder straightened, turning slightly toward the doorway where Kayla gripp
ed the frame, looking appalled.

  Lee felt a little appalled himself. As a trained police officer, he should have been able to give a much better accounting of himself.

  The man was about Lee’s own age, lean but well muscled. His eyes were coldly alert. He stepped back with a watchful air, rubbing at his stubbled jaw where Lee had hit him. His deceptively easy stance indicated he could move forward again with that same blinding speed if he needed to. How the heck did Kayla know someone like this?

  “You know this guy?” the man asked Kayla calmly.

  “Of course I do! Lee, are you okay? You didn’t hurt him, did you?” she demanded of the bruiser.

  “Not permanently.”

  Lee wasn’t so sure about that. He was just starting to breathe again, and his breathing wasn’t taking kindly to the unexpected abuse. But Lee decided his pride had suffered the worst blow. He couldn’t fault Kayla’s assessment of who was “the hurter” and who was the “hurtee.” Even though she couldn’t have seen the knife from her angle, the winner of the skirmish hadn’t been in doubt.

  He straightened slowly, rubbing his stomach. A bruise was already forming, unless he missed his guess. “I gather you have a right to be snooping in her bedroom.”

  “More right than you have to be sneaking through her house.”

  “Will you two stop posturing? Lee, this is my brother Alex. Alex, this is Fay’s husband—I mean her ex-husband, Lee Garvey.”

  Her brother?

  The man called Alex appeared just as startled. The sudden calculation in his assessing stare was far more intense than it should have been, based on Kayla’s simple introduction. Anger, carefully banked, fronted the edges of that look. “The cop?”

  The tone of the question explained a lot. Lee had a feeling brother Alex frequently spent time talking with cops and answering their questions.

  “I didn’t know you had a brother,” Lee said to Kayla ignoring Alex without looking away from his hostile appraisal. “He was going through your bedrooms.”

  “I was looking for a book I left here.”

  “In her dresser drawers?”

  Alex didn’t hesitate. “And under the bed.”

  “Must be a good book.”